IPhone 6: How many are needed?

The IPhone 6 and 6 Plus have just come out, and a lot of people are already wanting it. It is among the most popular products around and has got a lot of hype. I have limited experience with smart phones, and to me it does not look any different than the ones before it. Some might say that I simply don’t know enough, others might say I am right and there is little difference. 

There is a large difference in price between the new IPhones and previous ones. The most expensive version of the IPhone 5S is only $149, while the least expensive version of the IPhone 6 is $199. The least expensive IPhone 6 Plus’s cost $299. This alone is a deterrent for purchasing one of the new ones, but there are others as well. While the screen on the IPhone 6 is larger, the screen quality is not any better. For the 6 Plus the screen may be better than older models, but competitors do it better. Also added size can make them harder to handle conveniently, but the size does help with some things and makes it easier to use some functions. The new ones do have rounded edges and metal casing to prevent damage, but it is so sleek you are more likely to drop it. The devices do however have much more memory than the previous ones and operate much more quickly, and a better camera.


Even though the newest IPhones may have some improvements, the changes are not nearly worth the insane prices. Even if there were no negatives about it, it is way overpriced, and Apple will likely still improve the older models. Even if the new IPhones had a more reasonable price, why not wait until the next one? Apple could likely have included a lot of the features of the new IPhones on older versions, and this one is likely not as advanced as it could be. Apple could quite possibly be releasing inferior quality items to purchase new ones. To conclude, the IPhone 6 and IPhone 6 Plus are not worth the large price.


- Rick Derfus
info from
http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/09/18/iphone-6-and-iphone-6-plus-vs-iphone-5s-vs-iphone-5-should-you-upgrade/

A better Outlook for Saudi Arabian Society

One Step Closer to Equality

In Saudi Arabia, a breakthrough is starting for gender equality. Women have been discriminated against for a long time, but new opportunities are coming in the way of jobs. There are eight million workers who have come from other countries and are taking jobs that the government wants to go to citizens. Only one fifth of the female population currently is working, though the need for workers from within the country could cause a lot of more job vacancies to be available. Also, if the government wants to have native employees, they will need to employ women instead of workers from other locations. In the city of Riyadh, 3,000 vacancies have already been reserved for female employees, and another company elsewhere is planning on having an exclusively female group of workers. Prominent owner of Saudi Aramco, Khalid Al Falih stated “The irony is, many of the unemployed are highly educated females” and “Over 50% of unemployed females hold a university degree, and that’s because mixed work environments are not available.” Hopefully such recognition will spread to other employers.

Things are starting to look better, but they are far from where they should be. With recognition from employers starting to arise, and a problem with international employment, opportunities for equality in the business world are coming.

- Rick Derfus


information

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/05/business/brave-new-era-for-saudi-arabias-women/

Praising God Through Serving: Service-Learning Begins

CCHS Students at Crestview

Once again,  the CCHS service learning program has come into effect. This year, however, the class has encountered a few changes.The freshmen will continue serving at Lynwood and Crestview nursing homes. However, Northport Elementary, located in Brooklyn Center has changed their age limit for their volunteers. So instead of the tenth grade class serving for Urban Homeworks, they are all serving at Northport.  When the sophomores first heard about the new changes they were disappointed and questioned if they would have a chance to serve for Urban Homeworks. Anna Smith, a sophomore, says, “I am a little disappointed, but I think we have to make the best of what we have.” The best we can do is wait and see where the 10th graders wind up at for their next trimester. Calvin’s hope is that we leave a mark on wherever God places us, regardless of service-learning location.

- John Erickson

The NBA Begins Again: What to Expect as Things Start Once More

http://www.sportstalkflorida.com/nba-playoffs-1st-round-recap/

As things are starting in the NBA the fans can be happy again after the long wait. Sports are now coming along and predictions are already being made for the season to come. Things could be interesting this year, and once the playoffs start it will escalate even more. Those expected to be the best of western half of the association are the San Antonio Spurs(champions of last year), the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers. Out of the eastern half the favorites are Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers. It is also worth noting the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers, though they each lost a key player which limits their chances of success. Will the Heat make it to the championship for the fourth year straight? Will San Antonio do it for the second year in a row? The NBA is back, the NFL is back, and the world of sports is once again busy and exciting. It is time to get ready to watch an exciting NBA season where several teams are ready to battle for the title.

                                             

Rick Derfus

sources

http://www.latinopost.com/articles/8747/20140926/predictions-for-the-2014-2015-nba-season-who-are-the-top-contenders-contenders-odds-spurs-cavaliers-nba-news-nba-predictions-nba-season-vegas-odds-heat-clippers-bulls.htm

Ebola: Pray for Africa

During the summer of 2014, the Ebola virus broke out in Western Africa. Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea are now infested with this virus. This deadly disease spreads so quickly that Africans believe merely saying the word “Ebola” contaminates a person.

According to New York Times, Ebola first show symptoms of a simple flu, but progresses into bleeding through vessels while organs fail. So far, 5,800 people have this deadly virus, and 2,800 people have died. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that in 4 months, 1.4 million people could catch Ebola.

The New York Times also states that presently, the United States discovered a drug curing Ebola called ZMapp, so far only tested on monkeys. Much controversy has risen over the ethics of giving this drug to Africa as “guinea pigs.” The only way to treat this vicious virus is to cure the patients through their suffering until they die.

Pray that the United would have wisdom as they decide if they should share ZMapp. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in the midst of the sickness. Pray for missionaries in Africa as they to discern what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the midst of death. Pray for families who have lost their dear ones, that their tragedy would turn into hope and bring them to Jesus.

Africa needs our prayer.

- Shannon Read


Cited Source: Ashkenas, Jeremy, Larry Buchanan, Joe Burgess, Denise Grady, Josh Keller, KK Rebecca Lai, Patrick J. Lyons, Heather Murphy, Haeyoun Park, Sergio Pecanha, and Karen Yourish. "How Many Ebola Patients Are Being Treated Outside of West Africa?" The New York Times. N.p., 7 Oct. 2014. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.